5.22

Question 1

Give the definition of a biofuel

Answer 1

Renewable fuels made from plant or algae matter

Question 2

Explain why biofuels are considered carbon neutral

Answer 2

Any carbon released from combustion is also carbon trapped in the growth of the plant matter used in the making of the fuel - therefore no overall change in carbon in the atmosphere

Question 3

Give the advantages of using biofuels over conventional fossil fuels

Answer 3

• renewable (fossil fuels are not)
• “carbon neutral” (less carbon released than with fossil fuels)
• can be made from otherwise wasted plant matter

Question 4

Give the disadvantages of using biofuels

Answer 4

• can be costly and time consuming; may be difficult to meet growing energy demands
• takes up a lot of space and water that could be used for crops
• not necessarily carbon neutral

Question 5

Explain how reforestation reduces the impact of climate change

Answer 5

Trees capture carbon dioxide during the process of photosynthesis (LDR, carbon fixation), removing it from the atmosphere by forming biomass, and reducing the greenhouse effect due to a now lower concentration of CO2. More trees - more carbon capture.